A Master Plan

I was first introduced to the idea of developing a Master Plan by Diann Jeppson at the TJED Transition to Scholar seminar in 2005.  A Master Plan is that road map to guide you through this home schooling (and perhaps even child-rearing)  journey.  Whether you follow your state's curriculum guidelines or un-school or fall somewhere in between, a plan is essential.  Without it, you begin to feel unsure, uncertain, and nervous about what to do.  You might double guess yourself, question your ability, rely on "experts" or even give up entirely.  A Plan will give you the direction to fulfill your desires.

Although I was struck with the wisdom of going through this planning and reflective process, I did not create my own until the following year when I was being mentored by Donna Goff.  Both of these women approached their master plans in a slightly different way and format.  I found myself not quite jiving with either.  It wasn't until I looked at both plans, that I saw a way to do it for me.  I essentially combined elements of both formats and then continued to simplify.  This is what I ended up with:


  • The Library (this is by far my largest section)
    • Gospel Classics
    • Classics
      • Children's Literature
      • Literature for Youth and Adults
      • Non-fiction
    • General Knowledge Classics
      • Curricula I Intend to Use
      • Other Possibilities
  • Home Culture and Cultural Literacy (Breadth and Depth: Fields of knowledge I want to experience with my children.  e.g. Math, math history, mathematicians; physical geography and explorers)
  • Adult Skills (Skill areas I want my children to gain proficiency in before they reach adulthood e.g. baking, home and auto maintenance)
  • Experience (Experiences/proficiencies I want my children to gain before they reach adulthood. e.g. public speaking, swimming)
  • Organizational Programs (Programs connected with specific organizations that I want my children to complete. e.g. church programs, Boy Scouts)
  • Places to Go (Places and events I wish to take my children for the purpose of rounding out their education and experiences. e.g. see congress in session)


Your family culture should be represented within your Master Plan.  Mine reflects my family's religion, love of sailing, and involvement in the Boy Scouts.  Creating your Master Plan requires time and some work.  You do not have to rush the process, but I encourage you to preserver.  It is a valuable process and resource.

Every time I begin planning for the coming academic year, I reread my Master Plan.  I review how we have done and how I can meet my family's needs.  I tweak it if needed, but the essentials have remained the same.  This process has helped me keep focused on the Big Picture.  I can better see the growth my family has made and this gives me joy.


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To develop your own master plan you can use my template.  To see how others have done it, you can see Diann Jeppson's example in A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion, by Oliver and Rachel DeMille and Diann Jeppson  or visit my first mentor Donna Goff at Mentoring Our Own

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